Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
4,246 comments Add your comment
John
July 31st, 2009
4:08 pm
I think The Scowl….NOT covering 1B….got Kotchman the heave-ho…
braves4ever
July 31st, 2009
4:08 pm
Good move, not a big upgrade ,but time will tell if the clubhouse gets tighter which would turn out better on the field.
Marc from FL
July 31st, 2009
4:08 pm
I love Laroche, but he’s not an upgrade. He strikes out more, isn’t nearly as good as Kotch defensively (think he has 8 errors this year already?), doesn’t situational hit nearly as well, and is just as slow and bad of a base runner. Neither are great, but Laroche is far from an upgrade in any way, especially with this season being the worst of his career so far. And just when Kotckman was getting hot…
This trade sucks, just bad, just really bad baseball.
JasonInFL
July 31st, 2009
4:08 pm
i am stunned that there wasn’t another move…one for a bullpen arm, but oh well…let’s see what tommy gun can do against the dodgers…
jeffrey d
July 31st, 2009
4:08 pm
I just heard the Braves traded Kotchman to Boston for LaRoche.
What???? Where’d you hear that??
curtis jones
July 31st, 2009
4:09 pm
I like the deal. Serious offensive upgrade.
tale of woe
July 31st, 2009
4:09 pm
Adam is a type B free agent
Unknown
July 31st, 2009
4:09 pm
We should have went after Russell Branyan.
Noah
July 31st, 2009
4:09 pm
Remember if this offseason is like last you will be able to get good players for cheap money.
Epinephrine
July 31st, 2009
4:09 pm
Unreal, also, about people calling Frank Wren an idiot. Dude has made nothing but dynamite trades so far, and when the Braves ride one of LaRoche’s second half hot streaks to the wild card, it’ll be amusing to come back and read the comments on here.
semiballcoach
July 31st, 2009
4:09 pm
rochy will hit 4th
BL
July 31st, 2009
4:09 pm
DOB or Carroll. Any word if LaRoche will make it by game time? Possibly start?
tommy hanson fan
July 31st, 2009
4:09 pm
ELI LILLY just traded LaRoche to Pfizer for long lasting ADD formula
bravos2249
July 31st, 2009
4:10 pm
I wonder what Number he’ll wear since Escobar is the current 19…..I personally think LaRoche will cherish this. He is getting another chance with the Braves. It’s truly a fresh start for him…hopefully he’ll take the bull by the horns.
18 WOL
July 31st, 2009
4:10 pm
It’s not a serious upgrade at 1B. It’s just not that significant for the money. And we lose a 1B for next year.
MFin04
July 31st, 2009
4:10 pm
LaRoche’s numbers are so skewed with Pittsburgh. He should have a lot better #’s in the Braves lineup. He gives us another deep ball threat. That can’t be understated when this team has very little power.
If the Braves need to resign LaRoche they can. Chipper and McLouth are great sellings points for LaRoche. If they don’t want to resign him, they can let him walk. It’s not like the Tex deal where he was going to leave no matter what. Braves have the option of keeping Adam or not. It’s really up to them, one would think.
nemov
July 31st, 2009
4:10 pm
While I’m no fan of LaRoche this is basically an onion for a lemon trade. Neither player is going to do much. LaRoche fits in our clubhouse better.
Chopper2Chipper
July 31st, 2009
4:10 pm
Epinephrine,
Agreed. Wren’s done a fantastic job as GM. JJ, McLouth, etc.
Freddy G
July 31st, 2009
4:10 pm
Just when I was praising Frank Wren he has a made a move that I hate. I may be the only Fan who likes Kotch despite his lack of power. I liked tha fact that he was clutch and I really believe the power would come later. Because Wren has made such good moves in the past he deserves the benefit of the doubt, I surely hope he is right again.
o-me
July 31st, 2009
4:10 pm
Chipper and LaRoach are hunting buddys. Braves will have to pay 2 million for 2 months for LaRoach unless Red Sox agreed to pay it. But its a done deal.
No relief pitcher?
Welcome back LeRoach, now kick some a@@.
TennesseePaul
July 31st, 2009
4:10 pm
“Kotch was a bust”
For all the trash being piled onto Kotchman, I will tip my cap to him. Not one single error in his entire Braves career. That’s pretty solid. The man posted a 1.000% fielding percentage for his Braves career.
Marc from FL
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
Canzaris (or whatever his name is) will be playing 1B tonight, suggesting Adam won’t be in ATL until tomorrow or late tonight.
Tomas
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
I dont like the deal. Kotchman was flawless defensively, and his hitting was starting to come around. I believe the Braves did this simply because they believe that Adam Laroche will start hitting his usual second half numbers. I hope Boston at least the Braves some cash considerations.
tale of woe
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
Halliday to the Angles
ABravesFan
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
WHY?
Not a fan of this move.
richbrave
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
Well, we just got our power bat, 2009 edition. He comes ANDRES GALLARAGA, CRIME DOG and SID BREAM all rolled into one.
FaninFaytown
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
VP you say Canizares and not Norton as if there was any chance Norton started? Maybe I’m wrong but I’m pretty sure he hasnt started a game this year? maybe there has been one
Luke H.
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
Laroche is surely an upgrade, especially with the upside of a guy who loves Atlanta and hit 32 HR here one time. Also off the books at the end of the season giving us the liberty to do what we feel.
nemov
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
Barbaro Canizares is playing 1b tonight. He got called up for tonight’s game.
Noah
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
I hope he doesnt hit 4th. Just what we don’t need, a sub .250 hitter in cleanup.
TDub
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
I feel like I just traded a girlfriend with big boobs and no butt for a girlfriend with a big butt and no boobs.
jeffrey d
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
Did the Pirates have a candlelight vigil for all their traded players?
Heath
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
Churchman -
Managers have a lot of input, in conjunction with GMs, on trades…especially established, HOF managers like Cox. He has a certain type of clubhouse he wants to keep and if he things LaRoche is better, he probably tells Wren he wants to swap them, and then Wren goes out and sees if he can make it happen. Even though JS was an establish GM, I bet there was nearly no trades made that didn’t get run by Cox too.
jay
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
Kotchman’s career OPS+: 103. LaRoche’s career OPS+: 113. Kotchman is better with the glove. For this year, which is all that matters right now, it is a fair deal, and LaRoche’s upside on offense makes it worth the gamble (do we so easily forget his 2006 with ATL? The only Braves with better numbers than that this year are Chipper and McCann). I’m not saying that we’ll see the LaRoche of 2006, but we might. And despite Kotchman’s recent hot streak, LaRoche is simply more of a lineup presence.
Dr Hoo
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
Well, I guess we need to pray that Adam’s poor offensive numbers were due to playing in that Buc lineup and he will magically be rejuvenated with better hitters in front and behind of him. And maybe we can get him to sign cheap next year to bridge to Freeman since he loves his buds on the team here so much. Still seems an odd move.
Thrillbot
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
The more I think about this deal, the more I love it … Adam LaRoche is a power upgrade we needed in our lineup in 2009 and Kotchman, whether the non-tender rumors are true or not, would have eventually needed to be moved to open up a spot for Freeman and would have roughly brought back zero talent when that time came. Now, the Braves upgrade the position for this year and offer themselves flexibility for next year.
indianabravesfan
July 31st, 2009
4:11 pm
big downgrade at 1st. LaRoche is horrible. i don’t get it. i want an explanation!!
stynes
July 31st, 2009
4:12 pm
I’m a little confused by the LaRoche trade. I don’t hate it but I’m not sure that it’s an upgrade. They’re very similar players. LaRoche perhaps with more power, a little less contact.
I’d be curious to hear more about the financial numbers and people’s thoughts regarding opening up a spot next year.
Original Jon
July 31st, 2009
4:12 pm
LaRoche, I remember, seemed to be the guy that always grounded into the Double Plays all the time, and he has 10 so far this year. ON pace to break his old record of 18 DPs
Unknown
July 31st, 2009
4:12 pm
At least we know Kotchman won’t be the 1B next year. We can make a run at Branyan who is a FA after this season.
Chris from the Rock
July 31st, 2009
4:12 pm
ESB rates LaRoche as just below Type-B status right now, but it’s really close. Seeing how he’s a 2nd half hitter, he’ll probably end up a Type-B.
tommy hanson fan
July 31st, 2009
4:12 pm
Laroche was just DFA’D by Pfizer (wouldn’t pay attention)
Redstick19
July 31st, 2009
4:12 pm
Wow. If this is not a precursor to another move, then I am done with this team. Kotchman is CLEARLY the better player and we gave him away for a worse fielder, worse hitter and a bigger contract. This is even worse than crap for crap- this is player on the rise given away for crap. Kotchman was hot as of late- and that’s how the ATL rewards him? Talk to you all next season, becuase the Braves just lost me as a fan this season. Sit back and watch this team sink, not rise in the Wild Card standings.
VP
July 31st, 2009
4:12 pm
Some people mentioned Vazquez getting shipped to Boston? What’s up with that?
JerseyBraves
July 31st, 2009
4:12 pm
we needed less strikeouts. now we’ve got more on the way.
unbelievable
July 31st, 2009
4:12 pm
there is a reason Kotch is gone, some people here are acting like he’s a superstar. Geez, just dont see how you can be mad about the deal or happy either. Laroche is a second half player and Kotchman isnt great. Its a move that probably wont have much of an impact either way.
The A Bomb
July 31st, 2009
4:12 pm
Just don’t get it.
Franceour for Church
Kotchman for LaRoche
It’s like regurgitating your food.
Can’t wait to start watch LaRoche take that one-handed swing and a miss again. . . and then forget to go the bag on a ground ball five feet from the first-base bag. . .
WREN — to quote Jack Buck. . . “I can’t believe what I just saw.”
Ugh.
ChurchMan
July 31st, 2009
4:13 pm
I love Laroche, but he’s not an upgrade. He strikes out more
Kotch struck out 5 times in 23 games this month.
Roche struck out 20 times (in 20 games where he had more than 1 at-bat, which happened in only 1 game) this month
BravesFanChris24
July 31st, 2009
4:13 pm
This is a good team chemistry move. LaRoche is good friends with Chipper and Nate. I think that will execute on the field. The lineup got deeper too.
1. Nate
2. Prado/KJ
3. Chipper
4. LaRoche/McCann
5. McCann/LaRoche
6. Garret Anderson
7. Yunel Escobar
8. Church/Diaz
Not bad at all to be quite honest.
Tony Almeida
July 31st, 2009
4:13 pm
Has anybody heard the news? Michael Jackson died.
Efrim
July 31st, 2009
4:13 pm
Can’t say I really like this move. Also, who is playing first base for us past next season? Starting Freeman there in April would be insane. Perhaps they evaluated the free agent market and saw some cheap first baseman that they could add. Very bizarre trade.
Paul Lentz
July 31st, 2009
4:13 pm
I’m going to go to the gym, get a workout in and clear my head. Hopefully when I get back home there will be more details concerning the trade. Then I will post my feelings on the trade.
David O'Brien
July 31st, 2009
4:13 pm
Red Sox are also giving Braves some cash to help offset difference in remaining salary
ship-builder1
July 31st, 2009
4:13 pm
Adam hasnt hit 32 homes run anytime since that time with ATL. guy is hitting low 200s cant be an upgrade maybe a home run or 2 upgrade but he goin to get out way to many more times
MiaBchBravesFan
July 31st, 2009
4:13 pm
Edward: why wait? Sh!t-can Bobby NOW!
tommy hanson fan
July 31st, 2009
4:13 pm
We lost a ton for 10 extra homers a year. A TON.
Chris from the Rock
July 31st, 2009
4:14 pm
Nice analogy TDub!
N8
July 31st, 2009
4:14 pm
So let me get this right. We basically traded all those prospects for Tex, who was eventually traded for Kotchman, who was traded for LaRoche, who was initially traded for Gonzo? So the net “gain” is all those prospects for Gonzo?
Wow. If Wren was going to take on payroll, why not really go for it. Teams all over MLB making themselves better today, and we took a sideways step, and took on payroll.
This really makes no sense. Only thing I can think of, with LaRoche being a free agent after the season, is that Freeman will get called up in September (or sooner) and get his shot to win that job next year.
If that is the case, I’m OK with it. But then why not wait and trade Kotchman for a marginal prospect in the winter, and save the money now.
I just don’t see how Adam LaRoche is going to help us win that many more (if any) games this year.
BravesinTN
July 31st, 2009
4:14 pm
When do pitchers and catchers report?
TBrown
July 31st, 2009
4:14 pm
TDub – Very good summary. Hilarious too
Marc from FL
July 31st, 2009
4:14 pm
Dr Hoo, Laroche will have better hitters in front and behind him now?
All I know is Wren needs to explain this move cause it makes no sense at all. It basically sounds like the Red Sox demanded and we complied.
BravesFanChris24
July 31st, 2009
4:14 pm
Where’s the “Kotchman is killing us” crowd? Don’t back track now.
kelevra
July 31st, 2009
4:14 pm
guys everybody saying we seriously won this deal plus laroche has power is type B free agent and a second half player. not nearly as bad as yall r making it out to be
Tavis
July 31st, 2009
4:14 pm
I think we won this trade. DOB, do you have a Chipper Jones quote?
BBraves
July 31st, 2009
4:14 pm
Not that I want Norton playing 1B tonight but why is he on this team if he can’t hit or play defense???????
Drew
July 31st, 2009
4:14 pm
Marlins acquire Nick Johnson says MLBTraderumors
Interested Observer
July 31st, 2009
4:15 pm
So we apparently didn’t get the reliever we needed, but we improved the pre-game card game. Let’s just say I’m skeptical right now. I like LaRoche, just don’t think it improved much of anything.
Nova Scotia Steve
July 31st, 2009
4:15 pm
I hear the Altanta Black Crackers are interested in aquiring Greg Norton…
Taylor S
July 31st, 2009
4:15 pm
Doesnt really matter on the Type B free agents status IMO. Odds are he would accept arb.
THWG
July 31st, 2009
4:15 pm
“Where’s the “Kotchman is killing us” crowd? Don’t back track now.”
You didn’t hear? They were shipped to Boston as part of the deal.
unbelievable
July 31st, 2009
4:15 pm
Jersey braves only two teams in the NL has strck out less that the braves. The Braves dont strike out much
Herschel Talker
July 31st, 2009
4:15 pm
If the Frank Wreck think an increase in clubhouse chemistry is what they need, then the Braves are screwed for years to come. Maybe Booby is behind this. Another clown. Two jerks.
Original Jon
July 31st, 2009
4:16 pm
How did we go from needing a reliever to getting Adam LaRoche? This really baffles me.
Heath
July 31st, 2009
4:16 pm
In 6 games with BOS, LaRoche hit:
.263/.263/.526/.789 with 2 2B, 1HR, 3RBI in 19 ABs.
pinkygonzales
July 31st, 2009
4:16 pm
the fact of the matter is this. our line-up is one without a lot of threats. and although casey played great defense, and could get you a single every once and while, LaRoche is a bigger threat. Add in the fact that he will be playing in a better line-up than he was in Pittsburgh, I like this trade. the only that concerns me is that LaRoche is a free agent and I don’t know if Freeman is ready for next year. Kotchman only made sense for this year and next year. After he was gone anyway. LaRoche has more power, and that is what this line up needed.
Hillbilly
July 31st, 2009
4:16 pm
TDub — I feel like I just traded a girlfriend with big boobs and no butt for a girlfriend with a big butt and no boobs.
Paging Wurlitzer Committee. Post of the year candidate.
MiaBchBravesFan
July 31st, 2009
4:16 pm
Chris24: you must be Bobby’s on. Why would anyone want to platoon Prado with KJ? Only Bobby or a brain-dead idiot would.
P-Town Brave
July 31st, 2009
4:16 pm
Once again…
I DON’T GET IT!!!
jeffrey d
July 31st, 2009
4:16 pm
Poor Kotchman….last year he gets traded for Mark Teixeira. This year it’s Adam LaRoche. Next year it’ll be Corky.
civilized white trash
July 31st, 2009
4:16 pm
tony almedia
he did? When?
richbrave
July 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
I’m betting there were NO takers for NORTON. And I’m guessing he was shopped plenty.
N8
July 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
I thought Wren was looking for bullpen help?
Noah
July 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
Hope he hits 7 or 8, don’t mess up the middle of the order.
ship-builder1
July 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
We needed a reliever and power corner outfielder instead we get rid of a consistant bat and gold glover and pick up a consistant OUT!
Nova Scotia Steve
July 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
TDub
I think I’d rather a girlfriend with a big butt and small boobs…
Drew
July 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
Nick Johnson for AA lefty Aaron Thompson… and the Nats are paying most of the salary. Why couldn’t we pull THAT trade off?
Bravosss
July 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
Power bat?? Avg 25 HR and 89 RBI a year. That all goes down at the Ted. And another lefty bat. Ugh, miserable.
BravesFanChris24
July 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
MiaBchBravesFan
I wasn’t meaning that as a platoon.
Prado will need some days off, no?
The A Bomb
July 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
Oh, stop it. . . Kotchman has been moving the lineup as much as anyone lately, , , ADDAM will just have the director in the TV truck cue up the end-of-the-inning music. . .
Now McLouth has some competition for the best one-handed swing and a miss on the team. . .
We just traded a GOLD GLOVE FIRST BASEMAN for. . . I can’t even go on.
monty
July 31st, 2009
4:18 pm
I don’t get the trade at all. We traded Adam away because of his momentary lapses in the field. He was in everyone’s doghouse.Bloggers were all over him. Kotchman has been coming on strong as of late. Seems like we just downgraded except for a handful of homers and increased payroll? Read the Pittsburg blogs when he was traded to Boston. No one was shedding a tear over there, most were saying “good riddance”!
P-Town Brave
July 31st, 2009
4:18 pm
We add salary for a marginal upgrade IF at all and waste a perfectly good player to use as a piece in a much better trade for a guy who is goin to be a FA and may not even make type-B status…
Once again, I DON’T GET IT!!
Marc from FL
July 31st, 2009
4:18 pm
This is just stupid, gambling on a mediocre player who’s having a horrible season to suddenly shoot off and carry us to the post-season… You can compare the players all you like, but the overall concept of what management is trying to accomplish with this trade is terrible and I’m not watching the game tonight out of protest!
Boonie27
July 31st, 2009
4:18 pm
I’ll be happy if the Red Sox sent us cash to make up the difference in salaries.
chc4
July 31st, 2009
4:18 pm
The people that say Kotch is a far better player than LaRoche are delusional.
Freddy G
July 31st, 2009
4:18 pm
Someone mentioned in this blog that Chipper may have been in Frank Wren’s ear to make this move, and one has to wonder if Wren would do that based on Chippers suggestion. I recall that the trade in 2007 for Tex when we gave up all those prospects was at the urging of Chipper and it did us no good, but made Texas a much better club. Kotchman was most solid defensively, imagine not making an error, plus he was getting on base. I hope Laroche is not as lazy as he was the last time he wore a Braves uniform.
Mitch
July 31st, 2009
4:18 pm
This is not good !!!!!
jeffrey d
July 31st, 2009
4:19 pm
Then I will post my feelings on the trade.
Paul Lentz
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
Mario Mendoza
July 31st, 2009
4:19 pm
“He’s making $7.05 million and [b]is eligible for free agency once more before potential free agency after the 2010 season.[/b]”
say what?
huh?
July 31st, 2009
4:19 pm
Nova Scotia Steve
July 31st, 2009
4:17 pm
TDub
I think I’d rather a girlfriend with a big butt and small boobs…
Huh? Do you know something I don’t know?
THWG
July 31st, 2009
4:19 pm
NS Steve- To each his own.